04 - Chapter 04

CHAPTER IV. The Pentecostal Baptism, a great object lesson. This remarkable outpouring of the Spirit stands out in the Bible, with a prominence, which draws all eyes unto it! Nothing equals it in the book of revelation. It is a great and startling object lesson, which Christians of all subsequent ages should study, and in it learn by what great force, personal sanctification is to be secured, and the world converted to God. What does this object lesson teach?

1st. It clearly teaches that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a great spiritual endowment bestowed upon Christians, subsequent to their conversion. In the case of many of these who first received it, it came years after their first induction into the family of God. Perhaps this is not always so, but we believe it is, usually. We say "usually" because we have occasionally seen converts and heard of others who received the Great Gift simultaneously with conversion. Bat such cases are rare. As a rule, converts after their conversion have a hard task in the effort to control their thoughts, passions, their speech and spirit. There is so much carnality left, so much of the world and the devil within, and around, while the spiritual man is feeble and the measure of the Spirit is small, that they often stumble and fall! And for a time they have a seventh chapter of Romans’ experience. At length, like Israel in trouble, they cry unto the Lord for help and are delivered. They receive a double portion of the Holy Spirit and move into the 8th chapter and rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory! There is so much of God in them now, that the devil flies, the flesh is subdued and the world is overcome! I say this is the usual experience. It was so in the apostles day. It is so now. We pass from experience to Bible proofs that this view is correct. The Apostles who received this gift on the day of Pentecost were Christians and had made considerable attainments in the Divine life. This is clear from the language which Christ uses concerning them, in that memorable prayer offered before his apprehension. "I have given them thy word and the world hath hated them because they are not of the world even as I am not of the world. While I was with them I kept them in thy name and none of them is lost but the son of perdition." "Now ye are clean but not all." Such language proves clearly that they were converted people. Yet these were the very persons, to whom "the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter" was promised, over and over again in that memorable after-supper-talk, as a friend who was yet to come in fullness to their aid and abide with them forever. So, too, after his resurrection, and just before his ascension, "Being assembled with them he commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which saith he ye have received of new. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." And these were the men who conducted that prayer-meeting of ten day’s continuance and held the brethren fast to the promise, till they were all with one accord in one place, and upon whom on the tenth day the Baptism came, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost! Thenceforth they were a very different class of men from what they were before! So far as the record goes, the inference is strong that the entire 120 in that upper room, who prayed for that baptism so long, were without exception, Christians, not less devout, than the average Christian in our modern churches. Probably far more so, for it cost something to be a Christian in those days of persecution and crucifixion! And if such men needed the Holy Baptism, shall the modern Church member be content with conversion and say "that is enough for me! I have been forgiven have a hope and have no need of any higher or greater blessing!" Passing along a little further in the story of the Apostles we read of Phillip going down to Samaria and preaching the Gospel and that "many believed and were baptised both men and women! And when the Apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God they sent to them Peter and John, who when they were come prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost, and they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." What stronger proof do we need that the influence and measure of the Spirit which brings about conversion, is not oil that me need and all that is provided f What greater proof that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, is a Christian endowment, and far above that received at conversion. 2. This great object lesson teaches that we must ourselves personally seek the gift, if we would have it. It came not to the Apostles unsought. Witness the ten days’ prayer meeting. 3. That all classes can have it, that all need it whatever their lot, be they servants or handmaidens, old or young. 4. In that object lesson we see how God’s people can from weakness rise to power. The Holy Ghost must come upon them, and then he that is feeble among them shall be as David and the house of David as the Angel of God. 5. In it we see how Christians are to be sanctified. That is lifted to a life of steadfast walk with God and victory over the powers of sin. By the reception within of this large measure of the Holy Spirit. Thus were sanctified Peter and his brethren. 6. In it too we see how the nations are to be converted unto the Lord. 7. We see also that if the Church would see sinners converted, it must first of all be baptized by the Holy Ghost. So much at least, this object lesson teaches. We shall enlarge on these topics in subsequent chapters. We leave them for the present.